Chapter Fifty-Four
"Tebrey," Bauval said as the commander came in the front door. "A word with you, please." Tebrey and Christopher had been down to the market to get some much-needed supplies. She had gone on by to take the items into the kitchen, leaving Tebrey to face Bauval alone.
"Certainly, Bauval, just give me a minute." Tebrey trotted up the stairs and dropped his caseless pistol onto the bed. He paused to towel his hair dry and change his shirt, and then he went back down to talk with the scientist. He had a feeling he knew what Bauval wanted to talk to him about, and he had been dreading the conversation.
Bauval was alone in the parlor when Tebrey came in, standing by the window watching the rain. He turned as Tebrey poured a cup of tea and found a chair.
"What can I do for you, Bauval?"
"I've wanted to ask you for some time now," Bauval began, "but either haven't found the right time or the nerve to bring it up." He smiled with obvious discomfort. "I wanted to talk to you about this girl, Ana."
Tebrey sighed. He'd known it was going to come up at some point. He had just hoped that it would be later. "I thought as much," he said finally. Tebrey had thought a lot about Ana in the last few days; he didn't have any answers to his own questions, much less anyone else's.
Bauval nodded. "Mason and I have been discussing her. When she was simply a local whom we could ask for information, everything was fine. But with the disclosure to her of our true identities, things have gotten trickier." He walked over and sat across from Tebrey. "Have you considered that you may be putting us all at risk? Her, too, for that matter."
Tebrey set his cup aside and leaned forward. "We're already at risk, Bauval. We have been for some time, or did you miss what they did to McGee? I don't think that having Ana around is making it worse. As for putting her at risk," –Tebrey shrugged– "I don't think I am."
"Is it fair to her to develop a relationship?"
"How is it unfair? She's an adult."
"Forgive me for saying so, but she is an uneducated primitive from a backwater planet that has no hope of ever being inducted into the Federation. She's something of an outcast in her own society. It could easily be construed that you're taking advantage of her. She'd be easy to manipulate, and she practically worships you."
Tebrey frowned, gritting his teeth to keep his anger in check. "I've not taken advantage of her, as you say. First of all, we haven't had any relations that couldn't have been done in public – at least anywhere civilized. Secondly, you can go fuck yourself. You may not have noticed, but I don't answer to you. Ana may be a lot of things, but uneducated primitive isn't one of them."
He could tell that his calm delivery shocked Bauval. The scientist had expected Tebrey to be indignant. "Tebrey, I just want you to think about what you're doing. I'm your friend. I'm not trying to hurt you. What would happen if a ship were to rescue us now? She would be devastated by your departure."
"You assume I wouldn't ask her to come with me."
"What? How could she?"
"Why not?" Tebrey had to force his hands to unclench. He wanted to beat Bauval unconscious for even asking, but he knew the man was right to do so. Tebrey had intended to talk to him about Ana, but other things kept coming up. He sighed. He'd had a lot of problems with his temper recently; he blamed it on the mental pressure from the people in the city, and the oppressive summer heat.
"Look, Bauval, I don't see any reason why she couldn't come with us, when and if we're ever rescued. Mason asked me a few weeks ago about Jeroen coming with us. Surely you knew that."
Bauval waved his hand dismissively. "That's different."
"How is it different?"
"The man has been around us long enough to understand what we represent. Also, we owe him a debt of gratitude for helping us. He truly wants to go. He is not motivated by sexual attraction."
"I think you're underestimating Ana," Tebrey said. "And I don't think you understand Jeroen very well, either. Lack of an education does not imply an inability to learn. I think you have a problem with her gender. I'll not deny being attracted to her – how could I? I'm sure it's mutual, but I don't see that as a problem."
"You plan to marry her, then?" Bauval said humorlessly. "Or just keep her as a mistress or a pet? Because she couldn't survive in our society without someone looking out for her."
"I've only known her for a few days. Can I wait to rush into marriage? Where the hell are you from that it matters, anyway?" Tebrey shook his head. "I think you've been talking to Mason too much. Kindly keep your religious prejudices to yourself, okay? Under Fleet regulations, if I request her to be allowed off planet with me as a companion, she is entitled to half of my pay and pension. I think they call it the War Brides Act or something like that. It's in place specifically to protect people from underprivileged backgrounds from being exploited by military personnel. So, even if by some strange twist of fate I'm killed or decide I don't want to be with her anymore, she'll be taken care of."
"I just don't want to see anyone get hurt."
"Neither do I. Hell, I don't even know if she would want to leave her home to go with me. Like I said, we've been taking it slow. I'm not rushing into a relationship with her, but I'm also not going to keep myself from having something that may be meaningful for both of us. No one can say when we'll be rescued. Should I live alone for the next ten years if it takes that long before Fleet arrives?"
Bauval squirmed uncomfortably in his chair. Tebrey could tell that Bauval knew he had a good point, but something was still bothering him. Tebrey couldn't figure out what it was; he wasn't sure Bauval knew. "You know she isn't biologically compatible with you, right? The two of you will never be able to have children."
"Children are overrated," Tebrey said. "I'm aware that her people are genetically different from us, but she is human. She has human feelings. I'm not going to hurt her just because you're afraid she'll be hurt in the future. Are you really worried about me, or does the idea of me being with someone of a different race disgust you? Are you a xenophobe, Bauval?"
"This isn't about me," Bauval said. "And no, I'm not. Aren't you afraid of what a relationship with her could mean?"
Tebrey laughed. "I had nothing to live for when I came to this planet – surely you know that. I'd only really loved one woman, Bauval, and she died a senseless death two years ago. That wound is finally healing. Since I came here, I've gained a new brother, my companion Hunter. Now I have a chance to love again, with Ana. I'm not going to throw that away. I don't think you can understand what it's like for a person like me, a psion, to fall in love. I can feel a bond growing with her that will connect us more deeply than anything you could ever know."
"I don't pretend to understand everything about psionics, Tebrey. But I do know that it takes two, so to speak. I think you are letting your lust cloud your judgment."
"You have no idea what you're talking about. Ana can hear Hunter! She may be uneducated, but she is a functioning psion. There is a chance that, with time, we'll connect as deeply as Hunter and I."
"What does he think of that?"
"He thinks it's wonderful. He likes her; there's a bond there, too."
"It seems a little odd to me," Bauval said. Tebrey could tell that he couldn't quite get the image of the cat being intimately involved in the relationship out of his head, and that was so wrong. Tebrey tried not to be offended by it.
"I don't care how it feels to you, Bauval. I'm sorry. I like you. I consider you a good friend, but I'll handle this how I see fit. I hope you can understand that."
"I do," Bauval said with a sigh. "This conversation didn't go as well as I had hoped. I'm sorry if anything I said distressed you. For what it is worth, I like the girl. She seems nice enough, and bright. I'll take your word for it that she is more intelligent than I have given her credit for. Maybe I've been prejudiced, like you said."
"Maybe you have," Tebrey replied. "I appreciate you bringing it up. I'm sorry if I bit your head off. Been spending t
oo much time with the cat, I guess.
Bauval smiled at Tebrey's joke, tired as it was. "I wish you the best, Tebrey, you know that."
Tebrey stood and gripped Bauval's shoulder. "Thanks. I do appreciate that you're trying to look out for us, but I can handle this. By the way, I'd like to talk to you and Mason later today about the catacombs. There is something very peculiar about them. I think that after the summer storms, we should plan to do some exploring."
Jeroen rubbed his eyes tiredly. It seemed he had been working day and night trying to translate the ancient texts. These scientists worked harder than slaves. So far, very little of interest had been discovered. Most of the writing dealt with the politics of the original settlers and organization of their government. While the idea of a constitution was intriguing, he didn't understand all of the particulars. The part about everyone being created the same seemed especially nonsensical to him. It was obvious to him that everyone wasn't the same. How could they be? People were as different as snowflakes: some large, some small; others were complex, while still others were simple. He shook his head.
Maybe he was just translating it wrong.
One of the students brought in a tray of refreshments. Jeroen didn't trust the young man. He looked much like anyone Jeroen might see on the street, but his name, Ibn Absalom, was obviously like those of the people across the sea. There was much distrust between the Lyonan people and those of the Faithful. Hundreds of years of war had seen to that. Jeroen had made his opinion clear the other day; since then things had been strained in the small room.
Dr. Seshadri came over to where Jeroen was working. "Giving up on me?" he asked.
"Taking a rest, Doctor," he replied. "I'm no scholar to enjoy this sort of thing."
"Well, for someone who is not a scholar, you have a singular dedication. Your efforts are very much appreciated." Seshadri sat down at the table. "We'd still be struggling to decipher the alphabet if it wasn't for you."
"I had good teachers," Jeroen said dismissively. "It's too bad my father isn't here. He'd be able to help you much better than I."
"Believe me, we're glad we have you. Jane tells me that you are an apt pupil. You have been making great strides in learning Normarish."
"Jane is good with languages and patient with me. She may also be exaggerating my progress. I seem to be having difficulty with your verb tenses."
"It would be much easier for you if we had our induction learning devices. We are normally very dependent on technology. Rote learning is uncommon in our society. This has been difficult for all of us."
Jeroen nodded. Jane had explained the devices that they had used to learn his language. It seemed like magic to be able to do such things, but she had assured him that it was no more miraculous than a wagon or a sword. It was just a tool, like any other.
"I don't suppose you have come across any more references to the others?" Seshadri asked. They had taken to calling the Taelantae others because Jeroen reacted so badly if anyone said their name.
"The original settlers were sure that they had arrived only a little bit before them, possibly the result of a shipwreck. The settlers felt that this world was theirs by right and the pale ones had tried to steal it from them. There are conflicts mentioned, but no specifics given."
"That's interesting. That could be the root of the conflict between your races that exists even until present day. Do you know if the others have any kind of government?"
"There are villages to the far west. I don't know about government, but they aren't claimed by the Empire. I think that they are more tribal in organization. My father always said they were savages."
Seshadri nodded. "I take it there haven't been any wars in recent years."
Jeroen snorted. "I would think not, Doctor. Those villages are barely self-supporting. I can't imagine them going on raids. I lived for years in Renivee; we never saw any raiders – not of their race, anyway. It is the belief of many of my people that they are born slaves and far better off as such."
"And how do you see them?"
"Now? I think they are just different looking people, albeit ugly ones. I don't think they deserve to be treated the way they have been. I never did, really. My uncle and father feel the same way – even without this new information – and have tried to help them."
"What do you think of the girl Ana?" Seshadri asked. He had talked to Bauval earlier and was intrigued to learn of her growing relationship with the commander.
"What should I think of her?" Jeroen asked. "She seems much like any other peasant girl. I pity her for her looks, but she seems nice enough."
"I'm not sure if I understand why you find her unpleasant looking. I thought she was rather pretty."
Jeroen shuddered. "There is nothing wrong with her height; it is her build and skin color that are so distasteful. She looks like a walking corpse. One can see her bones, most displeasing. Her hair could be attractive on another, I suppose, but it just makes her uglier. Her nose is also much too small."
"What are the standards for beauty in your culture?"
"A woman should look like a woman," Jeroen said. "Women are best when soft and curvy. She should be comfortably plump, with dark hair and eyes. Skin tone should range from as light as Jane to as dark as you."
Seshadri smiled. "It sounds like the standards of beauty for your culture are similar to mine. I suppose that makes sense. The people of my planet are from the same original old Earth culture as yours, or near enough, anyway. Although my own standards have been tempered by having been exposed to the larger overall culture of the Federation for so many years."
Jeroen looked confused for a moment. "You mean that you are not all of the same culture? You have differing rules and standards?"
"I'm afraid so. Each of our planets is allowed to have its own rules. Many of the planets were settled by a single ethnic group from old Earth. We just all work together under the united rule of the Federation."
"Is this Federation of yours an empire?"
"No!" Seshadri said quickly. "It is a representative democracy. Well, more of a republic, actually, but the effect is similar. Each world sends elected representatives to a grand assembly. The assembly makes policy decisions for the Federation as a whole."
"Sounds cumbersome," Jeroen replied.
"It works for us," Seshadri answered. "Most of the time, anyway."
Chapter Fifty-Five
"So what is it that you wanted to talk to us about?" Anderson asked testily.
"I wanted to talk to you about some recent discoveries," Tebrey said. "As you all have no doubt heard, I was able to save Sergeant McGee by going through the catacombs under the city." He said it a flat tone so that no one might mistake it for bragging. He was just stating facts. "What I found down there was very interesting."
"I assume you had some good reason for not telling us immediately about whatever this was you think you found," said Anderson.
Tebrey frowned at the archaeologist until he began to squirm. "I'll tell you, if you shut up and let me finish." After the briefest pause, he continued. "The tunnel I entered was a perfect cylinder, and I mean perfect; my neural computer calculated it to be circular to within millionths of a millimeter. It was coated in some sort of frictionless material, like glass but much harder."
Anderson crossed his arms and fumed.
"That's interesting," said Hanna. Tebrey remembered that she was one of the crypto-technology students. He hadn't interacted much with the young woman. Most of the students, with the exception of Jane and Doug, had kept to themselves and avoided the military personnel. "Our group found a glassy substance used to coat a tunnel in that ruined city we explored."
"There's definitely a connection," Tebrey said. "At the junction of one of the tunnels, I found alien script. It was like the script I'd seen at the ruins, similar to the ones Dr. Seshadri pointed out to me that day, the inscriptions with the gorgon. I recorded the script, but I can't download it to your equipment through my datalink. It's inco
mpatible."
"So you think that this city is built upon the ruins of an ancient alien city like the one we explored in the wilderness?" Dr. Seshadri asked. "I suppose there is a precedent for such things. When the ruined city of Troy was discovered in the pre-starflight era, it was found to have been layers of city, built one atop the other over thousands of years."
"There was something else down there. I thought Hanna and Akira would be especially intrigued by it. I touched the script, mostly trying to tell if it was imbedded in the wall. It was set in seamlessly. What is interesting is that after I did that, lights came on down there. Something is still supplying power, and that means there could be hidden vaults with power and ancient machinery that are still operational. I think we should investigate if we can, after the summer storms."
"Why do we need to worry about the weather if we're underground and out of the rain?" asked Douglas.
"Because those catacombs are used as storm drains," Tebrey replied. "The tunnels are going to be flooded soon, and it will take weeks for the water to recede."
"Oh." He looked embarrassed. "Is it safe to go now? It's been raining for days."
"I don't know. Probably not. I thought you should all know about it. If we can't explore it now, maybe later, but I think they need to be explored."
"I don't think anyone would disagree with you," Dr. Seshadri said, glancing at Anderson to gauge his reaction to the news. "Given the weather conditions, I think we should put this off for now. Maybe this autumn we can go down and explore."
Tebrey nodded agreement. "I also wanted to ask about this proposed expedition that keeps being tossed around. If there are plans in place to explore more ruins, away from the city, we need to start stockpiling supplies."
"We've bandied the idea about," Anderson admitted. "I personally would like to see us all on the road as soon as possible after the summer rains."
"That's fine," Tebrey said. "I just need to know. Keep me apprised of your plans, and I can help work out the logistics for your trip." He tried to make it clear that he didn't approve, but wasn't going to interfere.
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